Prime 20 Finest and Most Stunning Cities in Spain

Spain can be identified for its lovely, romantic and architecturally beautiful cities – excellent for unbiased journey. From all our collective journeys over time right here our Prime 20 of the perfect and most beautiful cities in Spain (in no specific order)...

1. Valencia – a ravishing and chic port metropolis

Spain’s third-largest metropolis can be residence to a mixture of trendy and historical structure. The port metropolis is situated on Spain’s southeastern coast, the place the Turia River meets the Mediterranean Sea.

It’s a really easy-on-the-eye metropolis – which dates again to as early as 150BC – has a compact orientation with beautiful Gothic, Baroque and Roman structure.

It’s additionally well-known for its futuristic structure, for instance, the jaw-dropping The Metropolis of Arts and Sciences is a very talked-about attraction. Designed by the splendidly exuberant Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava, it’s the top of recent structure in Spain.

2. Granada – a singular Spanish metropolis identified for its extraordinary Moorish structure

Simply some of the lovely cities in Spain, Granada is known for its historical Moorish Alhambra Palace and exquisite Jap-style structure.

Positioned in southern Spain’s Andalusia area, on the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains, it’s set in beautiful pure environment – while you’ve completed exploring the museums and artwork galleries head out of city to get pleasure from a stroll within the close by mountains.

One of many principal highlights of Granada is Alhambre the sprawling hilltop fortress complicated residence to royal palaces, serene patios, and fairly swimming pools hailing from the Nasrid dynasty. Additionally don’t miss eating on an beautiful meal on the well-known bar and restaurant Totes y Amigos Bar.  

3. Madrid – Spain’s elegant capital identified for its charming boulevards and beautiful parks

The Spanish centrally situated capital usually will get ignored in favour of the extra standard Costas, however spring and autumn are the right instances to discover this historic gem.

Take in the attractive structure, store ‘til you drop within the designer boutiques, dance to conventional flamenco music and wander via the spectacular botanic gardens.

In addition to being identified for being residence to a tremendous assortment of European artwork (together with Goya and Velázquez) in addition to being a gourmand hub, so be sure you pattern the native tapas when you’re there!

4. Palma – Majorca’s beautiful capital and resort metropolis

The alluring Mallorcan capital has lately come into its personal, due to a multi-million-pound facelift. With a brand new assortment of artwork galleries, museums and a handful of swish boutique accommodations, Palma is a newly stylish journey vacation spot.

Take a stroll (or a Segway experience!) down the landscaped promenade to the Portixol marina.

The newly gentrified port space is residence to quite a lot of nice eateries, swanky bars, hip seashore golf equipment and naturally extra selection of tapas bars than you’ll know what to do with.

5. Cuenca – a spectacular mountain metropolis perched on a limestone spur

Based by the Moors in 1557 this is without doubt one of the most putting cities in Spain. Positioned within the mountains of east-central Spain in a really spectacular place above the Júcar and Huécar rivers, Cuenca is a ravishing fortified city which has been amazingly effectively preserved – a lot so it has been given world heritage standing.

The city is an outstanding instance of a medieval metropolis however its location makes it actually stand out from the gang – it rests on the steep sides of a mountain and the Casas colgadas, (which means “hanging homes”) are constructed proper as much as the cliff edge.

6. Barcelona – the cosmopolitan capital of Spain’s Catalonia area identified for its distinctive artwork and structure

There’s a purpose why Barcelona (the capital of Spain’s Catalonia area) is so standard with mini breaks and stag teams.

It’s one of many liveliest cities in Spain, with a string of year-round festivals in addition to a vibrant nightlife scene – and it additionally has some of the well-known stadiums on the earth. However this atmospheric metropolis can be nice for {couples}, due to the incredible purchasing, eating places and luxurious accommodations.

It additionally boasts beautiful structure within the type of Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia – a masterpiece of design that’s but to be accomplished. Go to in summer time, as a way to observe up a morning within the metropolis with a day spent on the very talked-about native seashore.

7. San Sebastian – a ravishing coastal resort city on the Bay of Biscay

Few locations on earth maintain the attract that San Sebastian, Spain does. This coastal metropolis attracts guests from everywhere in the world. Not solely are guests drawn to San Sebastian’s location, simply 20 km from the Southern French border, however they’re additionally drawn to the pristine great thing about the ocean.

San Sebastian’s coastal location permits for the freshest seafood, an array of high-end water actions, and has made town a haven for personal yachts coming into port. Points of interest in San Sebastian embrace seashores, historical structure and the distinctive Basque language, the oldest language spoke in Europe.

8. Salamanca – a historic and fairly Spanish metropolis identified for its ornate sandstone structure and vital college

It is a vigorous college metropolis that many vacationers appear to move by. It’s undoubtedly lovely with a medieval appeal, a mixture of Plateresque and Renaissance kinds and one of many grandest squares in Spain.

The town was for 4 centuries the seat of one of many world’s most prestigious universities and now the still-thriving pupil inhabitants provides Salamanca a youthful, completely happy vibe.

Select from one of many many nice bars, cafés and eating places on supply to pattern among the metropolis’s ‘joie de vivre’ for your self.

9. Seville – a romantic metropolis well-known for its beautiful structure and flamenco dancing

The birthplace of Flamenco is unlikely to be something lower than lovely and romantic.

This standard beautiful Spanish metropolis (the capital of southern Spain’s Andalusia area) can be residence to a Gothic very good cathedral and tower, La Giralda, and likewise the well-known Royal Palaces with their beautiful Mudejar structure (pictured above).

In addition to its tremendous delicacies, the Southern Spanish metropolis has a big neighborhood of artists, writers and composers giving Seville a free-spirited, bohemian really feel.

10. Ronda – a singular metropolis set dramatically above a deep gorge

Positioned in Malaga, Ronda is persistently often called being one of many prettiest cities in Spain residence to a laid-back cafe tradition and a really spectacular gorge.

Puente Nuevo is an expansive 300 toes gorge. In 1973, a bridge was constructed over the gorge so vacationers may get a greater view of how deep it really goes.

Ronda is without doubt one of the few cities in Spain that has resisted modernization, so while you go to town, you’re visiting an space that maintains its historic significance.

11. Bilbao – unimaginable structure, tremendous meals and beautiful landscapes

Bilbao is one other ignored lovely Spanish metropolis. Though it’s formally in Spain (it’s a port metropolis in northern Spain), the Basque nation residents are pushing for their very own independence.

In many faculties, classes are even taught in Basque, not Spanish.

The structure is an excellent mixture of the outdated and the brand new and Doña Casilda Iturrizar park is especially particular with a formidable dancing water fountain. The gothic St James’ Cathedral is a must-see, and for artwork lovers, the spectacular Guggenheim is seen as a picture of recent Bilbao.

12. Santiago de Compostela – well-known for its spiritual connections and the Catedral de Santiago de Compostela

Santiago de Compostela is the beautiful capital metropolis of Galicia Spain’s northwest, is a fertile area with an Atlantic shoreline. The gorgeous Spanish metropolis was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Web site due to its lovely cathedral and historical metropolis centre. The primary sq. is dominated by the cathedral which is definitely some of the spectacular in Europe. It’s a large constructing smothered in Baroque swirls, statues and stalagmites.

There are additionally many different tremendous examples of structure dotted all through town. Ensure you additionally go to the San Martín Pinario Monastery, the baroque Benedictine monastery of the XI century and the Gelmírez Palace which is a good instance of Romanesque civil structure.

13. Girona – an enthralling relaxed metropolis in Catalonia area identified for its medieval structure and walled Previous Quarter

An under-the-radar metropolis in Spain Girona is situated in Spain’s northeastern Catalonia area. Historical past is in every single place in Girona.

From a definite Roman basis, being conquered by the Moores, and the Franks, earlier than lastly falling below the rule of Barcelona, the historical past of battles and previous peoples could be seen at each flip.

Among the most visited locations in Girona embrace the Girona Cathedral, The Museum of Jewish Historical past, and the Arab Baths.

It’s an enthralling however laid again place however there may be far an excessive amount of magnificence to see in Girona in merely sooner or later, so plan your journey correctly so that you see each spectacular side of this historical, but trendy metropolis.

14. Tarragona – a picturesque port metropolis identified for its historical Roman ruins

Spain is an historical nation stuffed with historic significance and Tarragona (a shocking port metropolis in northeastern Spain’s Catalonia area) follows the historic mannequin fantastically.

Alternatives for embracing historical past in Tarragona, Spain are seemingly in every single place. Tarragona is without doubt one of the classically Mediterranean places the place you possibly can actually embrace the tradition and laid again spirit.

Coastal eating places reminiscent of Cocula and De Vins attract vacationers and locals alike with exceptionally crafted and genuine Spanish delicacies. Historical ruins and sights reminiscent of Pont del Diable and Murrallas del Tarragona give guests a glimpse into Tarragon’s historic previous.

15. Alicante – a tremendous port metropolis on Spain’s southeastern Costa Blanca

Rest is part of any vacation, however so is pleasure and fortuitously each could be present in Alicante! A port metropolis on Spain’s southeastern Costa Blanca, right here you’ll have an opportunity to absorb the solar and chill out in the course of the day and benefit from the electrical nightlife of town.

Alicante is a singular space in Spain as town is lovingly watched over by Castillo de Santa Barbara, a Sixteenth-century fortress fort that continues to be each vigilant and watchful over this thriving metropolis. Visiting Castillo de Santa Barbara is a welcomed exercise for vacationers because it gives the best possible view of Alicante.

16. Zaragoza – a shocking historic metropolis with a mixture of Mudéjar-style, Islamic, Gothic and Moorish structure

The fantastic capital of northeastern Spain’s Aragon area with an enviable location on the Ebro River is definitely some of the lovely cities in Spain. There are historic significance and trendy facilities all through Zaragoza, making it among the many nation’s most engaging cities for vacationers to get pleasure from.

Small memento retailers supply trinkets to deliver again to family members whereas the quite a few tapas eating places dotted all through Zaragoza provides you with gas to your days spent purchasing and exploring.

Though Zaragoza isn’t all nearly purchasing and gastronomic experiences, it’s additionally residence to many tremendous examples of distinctive and Moorish structure.

Don’t miss the spectacular baroque Nuestra Señora del Pilar basilica which overlooks the river and has fantastically patterned domes, the Mudéjar-style landmarks which mix Islamic and Gothic influences and the embrace the Aljafería, a shocking Eleventh-century Moorish palace, and the Twelfth century very spectacular Cathedral of the Savior.

17. Cadiz – an historical port metropolis within the Andalucia area which stands on a peninsula

Cadiz, the traditional port metropolis within the Andalucia area of southwestern Spain is considered one of Europe’s oldest cities on document. Not solely does Cadiz maintain this important attribute, however is also referred to as a contemporary, city island as town is nearly fully surrounded by water.

This densely populated space maintains its basic historical structure and small fishing ports whereas providing a considerably trendy side to vacationers and locals.

As a consequence of its water-rich location, bridge development has been a giant a part of the tradition and Puenta de la Constitcion de 1812 is an instance of a fantastically constructed bridge linking town to the mainland of Spain.

It’s additionally residence to 100 watchtowers, together with the well-known Torre Tavira, which was initially used for recognizing ships. Positioned elegantly on the waterfront is the 18th-century Cádiz Cathedral which options domes and baroque and neoclassical type structure.

18. Ourense – a reasonably Spanish metropolis identified for its sizzling springs

A metropolis that’s usually ignored by its extra well-known rivals, Ourense could be straightforward to move by. This gorgeous metropolis isn’t considered one of Spain’s largest cities, however it’s definitely among the many most lovely and chic.

Guests that discover themselves spending time in Ourense have the chance to get pleasure from considered one of nature’s most wonderful wonders – the Ourense Thermal Springs. Try the  Burga de Abajo, a neoclassical fountain with thermal waters and town’s medicinal baths.

Different highlights embrace the Twelfth-century Ourense Cathedral, the long-lasting Ponte Romana bridge and Nova, a Michelin-star restaurant with a cool, trendy ambiance.

19. Cordoba – an under-the-radar however fascinating Spanish metropolis

Positioned within the southern Spanish area of Andalusia, this beautiful Spanish metropolis stays largely below the vacationer’s radar. Though it’s one of many oldest cities in all of Spain and maintains that old-world really feel whereas providing the nightlife and trendy facilities that vacationers need.

The Centre of Cordoba tends to be the place most guests head to because it’s some of the conventional elements of town. It has a really important historical past because it was as soon as an vital Roman metropolis and a significant Islamic middle within the Center Ages.

One in every of its highlights contains La Mezquita, a really spectacular mosque courting from 784 A.D.

20. Melilla – a ravishing and chic Spanish metropolis situated on the northwest coast of Africa

This metropolis is a little bit of a wildcard as a result of its location, it’s an autonomous metropolis situated on the northwest coast of Africa, sharing a border with Morocco.

Melilla’s location gives an incredible adaptable cross-border commerce market and the inhabitants is nearly fully divided between Berber Muslims and Spanish Christians.

Perched alongside the Mediterranean shoreline, Melilla has a inhabitants of over 72,000 and was initially occupied in 1497.

By far probably the most visited attraction is the most important, the wall surrounding Melilla has been lately restored and options elevators within the construction to deliver vacationers to the highest for an epic view of town and the encircling areas.

We even have posts on…

Scott began his travelling life again in 1999, when he headed off on a solo jaunt to South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and South East Asia with only a backpack, a digicam and a spirit for journey. After that, the journey bug bit onerous and now he’s all the time looking for to go off someplace new. Over time he has lived in Italy, Qatar, Eire, UK and the US however his non secular residence will all the time be Rome as that is town which most satisfies his unrelenting longing for tradition, good meals and nice soccer. Scott loves nothing higher than to be behind the digicam and likewise runs his personal weblog and Instagram web page. He additionally counts Melbourne, Cape City and Tel Aviv amongst his favorite locations. Observe him on Twitter and Instagram at @scottbalaam