Spain has many faces, offering unique experiences to travelers. With delectable cuisine, beautiful landmarks, vibrant neighborhoods, and friendly locals, the visit is one for the books. There are simply many things you have to do in Spain before you die, surpassing common touristy experiences and attractions.
For experienced travelers who have visited a number of countries, Spain can stand out for its breathtaking destinations. The long-standing Roman and Moorish buildings serve as gateways to the old Spain, as well as Gaudí buildings, museums, and parks. The country truly isn’t ordinary, and there’s a never-ending chase to discover its roots and rich culture.
In creating a bucket list for Spain travel, remember not to miss hidden gems from underrated cities. Witness the authentic flamenco shows, never refuse a variety of tapas, and, most importantly, connect with fun-loving locals. In experiencing Spain, travelers must take time to explore the beautiful destinations dotted across the country.
Here’s a list of things you have to do in Spain before you die.
Top 10 BEST Things You Have to Do in Spain Before You Die
Watch Football Match Live
The Spaniards’ love for football cannot be denied, as most consider this sport as a religion. During La Liga, the streets in Spain become empty, as people watch the matches intensely. There’s even a saying that when a child is born in Spain, they automatically know how to play football.
Therefore, watching a football match live should be Part of the things you have to do in Spain before you die. Cheer for a team, and tour around the stadium too. Seeing the action live is truly exciting, not to mention phenomenal. Plus, travelers get to meet fans, get a taste of the local culture and see the world’s best players in action.
There are cheap tickets to watch a football match if La Liga tickets are expensive. If on a budget, watching at a sports pub also works, and somehow, equally fun too.
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Dine at the Oldest Restaurant
It would be monumental to dine at the world’s oldest restaurant, located in Madrid, Spain. Restaurante Botín, founded in 1725, is the longest-running restaurant in the world, serving the best-roasted suckling pig. This establishment is not only popular among visitors but also locals who loved the great ambiance and food at Botín.
The Guinness World Record holder has a historical significance, where known artists, European royalty, and politicians dined. In fact, there are sources claiming that Spanish painter Francisco Goya used to work in the restaurant.
American writer Ernest Hemingway also visited Botín and is fond of the place that made him mention it in his novel, The Sun Also Rises.
To date, Botín is one of the famous attractions in Madrid, serving Spanish classics like cuttlefish, roast Cantabrian clams, winter sopa de ajo, gazpacho, and the suckling pig.
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Join Tapas Crawl in Madrid
The fun and tasteful journey to trying the best snacks or tapas is through a pub or restaurant crawl. This activity is one of the things you have to do in Spain before you die, as there are lots of tapas in every region or city.
Spain has seven top tapas cities that travelers can visit. From Bilbao’s pintxos, Leon’s umami Ibérico ham, to Bilbao’s país Vasco, and Granada’s roast ham. Down to Andalucia, don’t skip the flavorful pipirrana and gazpacho, the generous serving of pescaíto frito in Almería, and juicy prawns at Rioja.
Tapas tastes better with local wines, beers, and Sangria, so make sure to try some of the recommended beverages. Usually, restaurants also serve several snacks or tapas, so check out the menu or ask for a recommendation.
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Hike the Camino de Santiago
Visit the most talked about pilgrimage route, Camino de Santiago. It is a network bringing travelers to the shrine of the apostle Saint James the Great in Galicia. Legend has it that Saint James’ remains were buried here, discovered in the 19th century. This is one of the reasons why tourists go here and explore other routes.
The breathtaking views of the Pyrenees, lush oak forest, Najera vineyards, and Estella Irache are some of the must-see places on the Camino de Santiago. Admire the landscapes, taste the delicious tapas at every stopping point, and see the historic monuments.
Aside from walking, cycling is also allowed to reach the shrine. There are tourists who cycle all the way up to the Camino de Santiago, which is approximately 200km. This is perfect for thrill-seekers and those who want to get to the destination faster.
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Go on a Wine Tour
Never leave Spain without tasting some of the best local wines like Rioja, Valderiz, San Román, Manzanilla La Gitana, and others. Going on a wine tour is definitely among the things you have to do in Spain before you die.
The country is brimming with massive vineyards, especially in the wine-making region La Rioja. It is a beautiful destination to explore the Ebro valley, where vineyards are scattered everywhere. Wine tours give travelers the opportunity to discover the wine culture in Spain and taste the famous bottles of wines.
Most tours include a full-day tour at a vineyard, complete with transportation, wine tasting, and guided tour inside the facilities. There are also luxury tours for those who prefer a private, guided tour.
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Catch a Flamenco Show
For most tourists, flamenco shows are definitely the highlight of the trip, showcasing a dramatic amalgamation of music, dance, and singing. The graceful women in long, red dresses, tandem with snappy tunes and dramatic dance steps, never fail to wow the crowd.
Andalucia is considered the flamenco region in Spain, where performances even happen at plazas or public spaces. Tourists can join the dancers, take a picture with them, and enjoy a free performance.
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Try the Authentic Paella in Valencia
Add paella tasting to your bucket list because this is Spain’s most famous dish. Valencia’s port city is known as the birthplace of paella, boasting flavorful rice packed with sautéed tomatoes, onions, garlic, saffron, seafood, chicken, and paprika.
The vast sweep of Valencia’s coastline is dotted with restaurants serving authentic seafood paella. Travelers cannot miss the filling aroma wafting through the air as cooks prepare the dish in a large pan. Topped with lemon wedges, beans, and ruby red peppers, this dish is definitely a must-try before leaving the country.
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Go to Ibiza
If there’s one thing to visit in Spain aside from Madrid, that would be Ibiza—the clubbing capital of the world. This place has a reputation of top party places, wild pool parties, gorgeous beaches, and amazing DJs.
During summer, Ibiza is packed with both locals and tourists. Every hotel establishment is fully booked, and it can be impossible to get a spot at bars because of the massive crowd. Therefore, visit this beautiful place during lean season to experience a less hassle party experience.
Partying in Ibiza is among the things you have to do in Spain before you die simply because of the thriving electronic music scene, amazing crowd, and good times.
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Take Part in the La Tomatina Festival
Spaniards celebrate a lot of festivals throughout the year, mostly religious. However, there are also other celebrations that are totally unique, like Buñol’s La Tomatina festival. A strong tradition since 1945, this festival is celebrated by throwing tomatoes at people.
La Tomatina gained international attention because of the huge food fight. In fact, a lot of tourists visit Spain just to participate in this festival. Around 20,000 people gather at Buñol to kick-off the tomato fight.
In 2012, around 50,000 participants lobbed 120,000 kilos of tomatoes in a span of less than an hour. This is one of the biggest festivals celebrated in Spain.
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Visit the UNESCO Heritage Sites
Spain literally is a contender for the biggest number of UNESCO Heritage Sites all over the world, tailing on Italy and China. With 48 World Heritage Sites, the country is packed with historic sites, medieval landscapes, fortresses, monuments, buildings, and cathedrals.
To make the trip memorable, travelers can visit the most famous UNESCO sites, like Gaudí buildings in Barcelona, Alhambra palace, Roman walls, Old Town of Segovia, and Burgos Cathedral.
Visiting these sites is one of the things you have to do in Spain before you die, simply because these are breathtaking and have historic significance.
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