There’s something about Spain that makes it a popular destination. With the sheer diversity across the country, glamorous coastline, medieval landmarks, and divine Mediterranean food, Spain is too beautiful to resist. There are a lot of places to visit in Spain that open up a new dimension when it comes to culture.
Spain is a beautiful country in the Iberian Peninsula, with 17 autonomous regions, diverse cultures, and rich history. This country houses the works of famous artists like Picasso, Goya, and Velázquez.
Along with the bustling cities, scenic countryside, and vibrant culture, the beauty of Spain lies in its remarkable history that never fails to amuse travelers. The country has a number of cultural heritage sites protected by UNESCO and more cultural feasts that bring together people from different parts of the globe.
More than the jam-packed tourist spots, there are more underrated and unique places to visit in Spain. Some of the country’s hidden gems are outside the capital city.
Transportation: Getting To and Around Spain
Madrid is the gateway to Spain, but several airlines offer direct flights to other major cities like Barcelona, Valencia, Bilbao, Seville, and others.
For tourists from Asia or the Americas, landing at the Madrid Barajas Airport is recommended to access the metropolis. Barajas Airport is approximately 15 miles from the city center, which makes it a gateway to the country. Other major airports are Barcelona Airport and Palma de Mallorca Airport.
Because Spain is huge, getting around is possible with the help of public transportation systems such as long-distance trains, ferries, intercity buses, taxis, private cars, or via air. There are high-speed trains that help travelers cross major cities within a few hours.
For a budget-friendly option, tourists can ride the bus and reach more than 200 cities and towns. Spain’s bus network is vast, efficient, and safe. Therefore, travelers can visit famous places in Spain by riding overnight or on day trips.
The usual suspects in visiting Spain include Barcelona, Madrid, Sevilla, or Valencia. However, the country is brimming with beautiful and lesser-known destinations travelers shouldn’t pass on. For tourists planning to visit Spain, include these underrated destinations in the itinerary.
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Where to stay in Spain
Tours to do in Spain
Top 10 BEST Places to Visit in Spain
La Alhambra Palace, Granada
There’s something magical about La Alhambra Palace that makes it a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Located in the southern part of Spain, in the province of Granada, the 900-year-old fortress complex once housed the Muslim kings.
La Alhambra is a citadel known for its reddish walls and intricate architecture. Because of its rich history and beautiful remains, the palace was considered a tourist spot in Granada. There are guided tours for travelers who want to explore the breathtaking sights and interiors of the La Alhambra Palace.
Fun fact: This site was one of the film locations for a Korean television show, Memories of the Alhambra (2018).
WHERE TO STAY? Here are the best hotels in Granada!
WHAT TO DO? Here are the best tours to do in Granada!
The Roman Bridge, Cordoba
Never leave Cordoba without visiting The Roman Bridge. It is the longest Roman bridge in the world, around 790 meters long, and the old city’s entryway. The bridge sat over the Guadiana River and was built by skilled workmen in 140 BC.
Besides its age, The Roman Bridge is one of the places of interest in Spain because it is among the longest-standing pointed arch bridges in the world. Made of stone, the bridge survived several centuries, considered as the greatest wonder of the Spaniard’s history. The Roman Bridge provides a fantastic photo backdrop, so don’t miss it.
WHERE TO STAY? Here are the best hotels in Cordoba!
WHAT TO DO? Here are the best tours to do in Cordoba!
Rodas Beach, Vigo
Free up a day or two in the itinerary to visit Vigo, a city on the northwest coast famous for Rodas Beach. National Geographic named this beach as one of the best in the world because of the crescent soft, pale sand and the deep green ocean waters.
The stunning beach is one of the most underrated places to visit in Spain. Still, it is seriously among the most pristine beaches that ever existed. Rodas Beach is part of the Cies Islands, which the government of Galicia protects. Besides the amazing nature sightseeing, travelers can also try Galician food to cap off the trip to northern Spain.
WHERE TO STAY? Here are the best hotels in Vigo!
WHAT TO DO? Here are the best tours to do in Granada!
Are you planning your travels? Here’re my top travel resources!
I’m a serial planner both in life and in travel – I have bucket lists, things to do, see, and everything. So, I always love when my life is sorted easily using tools and resources that would make my general planning a little smoother and easier. Therefore, in my many years of traveling the world, I’ve seen myself returning to these travel resources repeatedly. And here I am, sharing my tips to make your life easy and breezy so you can stress less, travel heaps, and focus on the fun part of travel!
- Booking.com – I book all my hotels through this website and don’t honestly use anything else. They always have the best prices, in my opinion.
- Airbnb – If I’m traveling long-term to one destination, I book my flats through Airbnb.
- Skyscanner – The best place to find cheap flights on flexible dates. I use this a lot to score cheap flights within Europe!
- SafetyWing – Always travel insured! Never leave your home country without one. It is worth the extra money, I promise you!
- GetYourGuide – Hands-down, the best place to find cool and unique tours if you don’t feel like winging it, and go straight to a local expert. I use this a lot in new destinations to get acquainted with the area!
- My Pretty Wild World Travel Diary (coming soon) – A book you can write down your travel plans, create itineraries, track down your budget, and dot down memories along the way! A handy book you can keep and read later to revisit memory lane.
- Pretty Wild World Travel Planning Printables (coming soon) – Are you a nut like me when it comes to planning? Yes? Good. My travel planning resource in one zip file is an easy-to-use printable planner that comes with tips that helps you plan your travels during the planning stage, a pre-flight checklist, an itinerary planner, and so on.
Museo del Pueblo Gallego, Santiago de Compostela
Tour 13th-century Spain at Museo del Pueblo Gallego to witness remnants of Galician history. The museum houses several galleries showcasing the Galician people’s architecture, music, trades, costumes, and art.
Built in 1976, the museum aims to preserve the culture and history of the ancient city of Santiago de Compostela, which is a world heritage center. The city became famous as a pilgrimage site and a symbol of the Spanish Christians’ struggle under Islam.
Exploring the museum would take up to two hours of guided tours. Make sure to snap a photo of the spiral staircase that leads to the roof deck.
Casco Historico, Toledo
One of the best places to go in Spain is Toledo, which a 30-minute train ride from the capital city, Madrid, can reach. Due to the number of historical monuments found here, UNESCO recognized Toledo as a World Heritage Site.
One protected area in this city is Casco Historico, a vibrant neighborhood comprising narrow lanes, alleyways, and Jewish streets. Visiting this place is like walking into the Middle Ages, when Christians, Jews, and Muslims lived harmoniously.
Take the time to admire the architectural details, beautiful stone, and brickwork of houses in this neighborhood. There is also a so-called Jewish neighborhood that was once the home of Jewish ghettos. Be sure to visit artisan shops tucked in little alleyways to find rare treats and souvenirs.
WHERE TO STAY? Here are the best hotels in Toledo!
WHAT TO DO? Here are the best tours to do in Toledo!
El Alcázar de Segovia, Segovia
Segovia is famous for its Gothic architecture, home to mystical monasteries and fairy-tale-like castles. One underrated landmark is the Disney-inspired medieval castle called Alcázar de Segovia.
Segovia is an hour away from Madrid, which makes it a popular day-trip destination. Because it is small, tourists can explore the city daily, roaming in churches and chapels. While here, try cochinillo or the suckling pig, a famous dish in Segovia.
WHERE TO STAY? Here are the best hotels in Segovia!
WHAT TO DO? Here are the best tours to do in Segovia!
Hold up! Have you thought about the importance of travel insurance?
Remember this: anything can happen. Travel is fun, but your health is more important; thus, I always, always, always recommend getting insured during the duration of your trip. I have benefitted from having one multiple times, and it has been covered for thousands of euros!
The latest one is not necessarily “health” related – it was during the peak of the unspeakable terrible C that consumed the world. I was living in Vietnam when I received an email from SafetyWing (my travel insurance) that if I want they’ll fly be back home to Finland as the world goes through a global emergency alert. I flew back fully covered, and dealing with SafetyWing was a breeze despite the roar of people in contact with them trying to get back home.
I can’t highly recommend them enough. Otherwise, I rarely get sick; hence I don’t always need to head to a hospital, but knowing that I have travel insurance makes me feel safe at the very least.
Read my post about why you should get travel insurance for more information. Otherwise, you can get a free quote from SafetyWing – they’re the best, in my opinion.
La Basílica de Nuestra Señora del Pilar, Zaragoza
Zaragoza is not a touristy city but is undoubtedly one of Spain’s best places to see. It lies in the Ebro River, drawing a nice view during sunset. It is the fifth-largest city in the country, boasting old, magnificent buildings and narrow alleyways.
The La Basílica de Nuestra Señora del Pilar is a renowned attraction and pilgrim spot for Christians. Climbing the tower to kiss the Pilar is part of the pilgrimage activities and is usually done by many visitors worldwide.
While in Zaragoza, check out the main square packed with street performers and monumental sculptures.
WHERE TO STAY? Here are the best hotels in Zaragoza!
WHAT TO DO? Here are the best tours to do in Zaragoza!
Montjuïc Hill, Barcelona
Montjuïc Hill is a phenomenal landmark in Barcelona, just over 600 feet high. Located in the city’s old town, the hill overlooks Barcelona harbor and surrounds the Catalan capital. Tourists searching for recreational activities can visit the hill and see top attractions like the picturesque Montjuïc Gardens, museum, and Mies van der Rohe Pavilion.
On top of the hill, travelers can witness the breathtaking views of the city, surrounded by tall sculptures. In addition to sightseeing, visitors can also visit quirky craft shops, bars, and cafes.
WHERE TO STAY? Here are the best hotels in Barcelona!
WHAT TO DO? Here are the best tours to do in Barcelona!
Barrio de Las Letras, Madrid
Step into the literary neighborhood of Barrio de Las Letras, the home to the greatest Spanish writers. The streets are paved with recognizable quotes from writers like José Echegaray and Miguel Cervantes. The neighborhood oozes with captivating Madrid history and culture.
Barrio de Las Letras is a 10-minute walk from Sol, now famous for trendy spots and Madrid’s finest restaurants. Younger people love the area because of the quaint antique shops, bookstores, galleries, plazas, and free guided tours to famous writers’ houses.
WHERE TO STAY? Here are the best hotels in Madrid!
WHAT TO DO? Here are the best tours to do in Madrid!
What are my favorite travel must-haves?
As a frequent traveler, I’ve learned a lot throughout my years of travel, and there are five items that I always carry with me regardless of where I go and how long the trip is. Here are my five travel must-haves!
- Warm packable jacket – I always carry a light jacket, even when heading to warm countries. There hasn’t been a time I never used it, especially in airports and planes.
- Transparent toiletry bag – I often bring a carry-on if I’m only traveling within Europe for a few days. Life is so much easier to go through security checks with a transparent toiletry bag.
- Kindle Paperwhite – I love a good read and always take my Kindle everywhere. It keeps me entertained during long flights and waiting times.
- Powerbank – I don’t know how I could travel without one! Having a power bank saved me a ton since I carry a lot of electronic devices with me.
- Travel Adapter – I never leave my luggage without a travel adapter! I carry one with me all the time. It is just one of that travel-must haves that doesn’t hurt to have in your bag at all times.
Cullera, Valencia
Ditch the insane touristy beach of Costa Blanca and Costa del Sol and head to Cullera to see the 11 beautiful beaches. Cullera is a city within the Valencian community, home to city beaches like La Malvarrosa, Las Arenas, Playa Los Olivos, and others.
Aside from the beaches, Cullera is also known for its historic fortress with a panoramic view of the city. The Castle of Cullera is a historic monument built over the Moorish castle ruins.
Today, the castle is a Heritage Site of Cultural Interest, which serves as the museum of history and archaeology of the Cullera. It is one of the places to visit in Spain, with a picturesque view of the Mediterranean Sea.
WHERE TO STAY? Here are the best hotels in Valencia!
WHAT TO DO? Here are the best tours to do in Valencia!
Planning a trip to Spain? Check out these posts!
- Itinerary examples: 10-days in Spain
- How to plan a trip to Spain? Here’s my guide on how to do it!
- When is the best places to visit Spain? Here’s my month-by-month guide!
- How much do you need to travel to Spain? Here’s my Spain budget guide.
- Here are two posts to help you save money: free things and budget-friendly things to do in Spain.
- Spain Points of Interests: Surfing Spots, Islands to visit, Beaches to chill at, National Parks to visit, UNESCO Sites, Camping spots, Hiking spots, Diving spots, Romantic destinations, Cities to visit, Places to visit, Tourist places bucket list, Attractions to check out, Unique things to do, Outdoorsy activities, Vacation spots, Castle hotels to stay at, Must not miss things to do, Off the beaten path, Unusual things to do, Spain at night, Adventurous things to do, Northern Spain, Castles to visit, Towns to visit, Educational things to do, Adventure sports, Southern Spain, and Beautiful hotels
- Spain by Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, and Autumn
- Spain by Months: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, and December
- Spain Travel Tips: Cheapest city to fly into, What to avoid in Spain, Things you must NOT do in Spain, Packing list for Spain, Transportation guide, Things to know before visiting Spain, Basic Spanish Phrases, Souvenirs to take home, What to do when it rains, and Travel tips before visiting
- Unique Experiences: Christmas in Spain, Christmas markets, Festivals in Spain, Road trips to take, Beach resorts, Solo traveler guide, Must-not-miss Points of Interest, Must-do experiences, Fun activities to do, Honeymoon in Spain, New years in Spain, Easter celebrations, Semana Santa, Holy Week, Easter procession, Bucket list, Architecture to visit, Parades in Spain, and Party destinations
- Spain Culture Overview: Tipping guide, Famous Food to try, Supermarkets to get your groceries, Wines to try, What is Spain famous for, Facts about Spain, Culture guide, Short history of Spain, Traditions to know, Foods to try, What is Semana Santa, Dishes to try, Renowned artists, and Spanish celebrations
- Barcelona Travel Guides: Things to do, Day trips, and Gothic quarter
- Mallorca Travel Guides: Things to do and Day trips
- Seville Travel Guides: Seville Easter
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