You're planning a trip to Europe's most passionate country, but you're not sure where to go? Here are some of Spain's best cities that you surely won't forget...

Five Amazing Cities You Must Visit In Spain

Welcome to Spain - not just a country but a land of tourism where people from all around the world come to visit. The country offers a variety of fantastic sights to its visitors, from amazing architecture to beautiful beaches.

Spain is such a popular travel destination that has made it to the position of the third most traveled country in the world. The Travel and Tourism index also ranked Spain as one of the top countries on the travelers’ list simply because there are so many sights to explore, so many places to see and things to do in Spain.

You're not sure where to go in Spain? Don't get overwhelmed with your travel itinerary. I recommend to hire a car in Barcelona or Girona and start from there, heading further southwest. Alternatively, if you don't like to drive yourself, you could travel across the country by train or buses, which can be easily booked on Omio.

Let's get started... Here are 5 of the most beautiful cities in Spain that you definitely must visit!

Barcelona

Barcelona is one of the prettiest cities in Spain, mostly known for its architectural landmarks. One of Barcelona's most iconic sights is the historical Sagrada Familia Church, one of the most stunning cathedrals in the world, designed by the famous architect Antoni Gaudi.

If you're into art, head to Museu Picasso, it houses the largest collection of the popular Spanish artist, with over 4000 pieces. You absolutely can't miss Park Güell, it's a fascinating place and one of Antoni Gaudi’s most enduring creations. You'll get the most spectacular panoramic views of the city from up there.

If you want to work out and watch pretty people, head to Barceloneta Beach, there are plenty of sports activities by the sea, including a free open air gym, beach volleyball, table tennis and more. And after a hard work out, enjoy a glass of wine and some tapas in Barceloneta.

More places to see and things to do in Barcelona include

Casa Batlló - a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Gaudí’s masterpieces
Casa Milà - Antoni Gaudi’s apartments, dedicated to Gaudi’s life and architecture
Barcelona Aquarium - a transparent tunnel surrounded by sharks
Montjuic Castle & Cable Car - a vibrant neighborhood with stunning Catalan architecture and breathtaking views from the Montjuïc Cable Car

Madrid

Madrid, the capital city of Spain is all about art. Your first stop should be the Prado Museum where you can admire superior art works of Velázquez, Goya, Rubens and other Spanish artists.

After the museum, head down to Plaza Mayor, one of the most iconic squares in Spain. The vibrant place is located in the centre of Madrid, surrounded by shops, cafes and restaurants.

Walk a few minutes towards West and you'll see the glorious Royal Palace of Madrid, that will most likely blow your mind. The palace has more than 3000 rooms, filled with treasures, such as paintings from famous artists, antique furniture and silverware.

Getting hungry? You couldn't be in a better place! Madrid is the perfect place to give your taste buds a kick by trying a variety of local cuisines – in fact Madrid is one of Europe's richest culinary capitals. Enjoy!

More places to see and things to do in Madrid include

Bernabéu Stadium - Visit the stadium and feel like a Real Madrid FC player
Reina Sofía Museum - Home to Picasso's Guernica, and other major artists like Dalí and Miro
Flamenco Performance - Feel the magic of Andalusian dance in the first flamenco theater in the world

Girona

Girona, the colorful city in northeastern Spain is popular for its medieval architecture, amazing art galleries and Gothic churches. To get an overview of the city, hike the Passeig de la Muralla, the 3 kilometer path along the ancient city walls will take you back in time, offering some fantastic panoramic views over Girona.

Other interesting sights are the Jewish Quarter and the Girona Cathedral. Don't miss the Cinema Museum on Carrer de la Sèquia, it's a three storey museum full of film art and historical culture.

If you want to relax, there are some gorgeous manicured gardens that encircle the Passeig Arqueològic pathway. Apart from this, animal lovers should visit Fundacio Mona. The wildlife foundation rescues abused chimps and other primates from circus and television and rehabilitates them.

Seville

Being the capital of the Andalusia region in Spain, Seville is a highly popular city on every travelers’ list. The vibrant city is famous for flamenco dancing and historical ruins.

Make sure to explore Plaza de Espana, a gorgeous square with stunning architecture and mesmerizing tiles. It's free to visit and it's offering some excellent photo opportunities with all the horse carriages.

Another breathtaking site is Real Alcazar, an incredible fortress that was constructed in the Moorish era in the 1300s. Go early, there is always a long cue as this is the number one attraction of Seville.

Get lost in Centro Historico de Sevilla, it's like the Old Town of Seville, a maze of narrow streets, cute little cafes, shops and tapas bars, impressive squares and plenty of beautiful buildings.

Visit the Cathedral of Seville and La Giralda and experience the historical buildings to two of Seville's most famous monuments.

Valencia

Valencia is located on the Southeastern coast of Spain, between the Mediterranean Sea and the Turia River. Undoubtedly, Valencia is popular for art and science. Being the third biggest city of Spain, Valencia is a mix of old and new buildings.

One of Valencia's top sights is Oceanografic, a large planetarium. Another fantastic place to see wildlife is at Bioparc Valencia where you can see lions, giraffes, lemurs, and hippopotamus.

If you want to buy fresh fruits, vegetables, spices or meat, head to the historic Old Town, one of the most colorful places in Valencia and enjoy some tapas and wine.

If you visit Valencia in March, make sure to go to the Fallas Festival, a joyful and vibrant celebration for welcoming spring. It's an incredible experience, traditional as well cultural, don't miss it!

Travel Tips for Spain

Are you ready to fly to Spain? Here are some quick booking links and resources that I use myself for travel planning. These websites will help you to get started with your Spain itinerary!

Cheap Flights to Spain

Skyscanner is my favorite search engine for finding cheap flights to Spain, from anywhere in the world. I always start my flight search here!

Transport within Spain

Bus, boat, and trains: Omio is one of the most reliable websites in when it comes to booking buses, ferries and railway. Get an instant seat confirmation and start your overland travel worry-free.

Find a Place to stay in Spain

Hostels, hotels and resorts: Agoda is excellent if you're looking for hotels from budget to luxury! It's one of the largest hotel booking websites in the world. Plenty of options to book now and pay later, or even pay at the hotel. Risk-free booking, many with free cancellation. My other go to is Booking.com.

Homestays and Housesits: For a more authentic and local experience I recommend Homestay.com, a website where you can find places to stay with locals for such a great price. Personally, I'm obsessed with Trusted Housesitters, where you get to stay completely for free in exchange for pet care. Find out more in my article on How to Become a House Sitter and Never Pay for Accommodation.

Fun Tours and Activities in Spain

Get your Guide has plenty of fun activities in Spain and around, such as hiking tours and city sightseeing trips. There is plenty of choices to keep yourself entertained!

Klook is similar than the one above, but offers additional options such as airport transfers, SIM cards, and food & dining experiences. It' a great way to meet other travelers while exploring a new place!

eSIM - Stay connected with Internet

Get an eSIM before you go and have Internet available from the second you arrive! I highly recommend Roamless or JetPac - they're both highly ranked, inexpensive and reliable.

Travel Insurance

Never go adventuring without travel insurance! I recommend Genki or SafetyWing - they're both very affordable and will cover you in an emergency.

Do I need a Visa for Spain?

Spain is part of the Schengen area, so likely you need a visa if you're not an EU citizen. You can check on iVisa whether you need a visa and how long you are permitted to stay.

Five Amazing Cities You Must Visit In Spain