Spain Tour and Travel

Spain earns its reputation as a holiday favourite, and honestly, it's not hard to see why. The architecture, that easy Mediterranean pace, a landscape that shifts from beach to mountain in a few hours - it all adds up. The trouble is deciding where to point yourself first. So here's my rundown of the best tours to Spain, put together to help you squeeze the most out of your trip.

Madrid

People come to Spain for all sorts of reasons - the well-kept old buildings, the Mediterranean feel, the food, the warmth of the place. Loads of towns are worth your time, but the capital tends to top most lists. A few tours I'd point you towards:

1. A walking tour of Madrid's historic centre. This one hits the essentials - the city's history and its architecture. You'll see the big names: the Royal Palace, Plaza Mayor, and the Cathedral of Almudena.

2. A food tour of Madrid. Spanish cooking is famous for a reason, so eating your way around the city is a pretty smart way to get to know it. This one drops you into some of Madrid's best spots, from old-school Spanish restaurants to the newer, more experimental tapas bars.

3. An art and culture tour of Madrid. You go from golden-age masterpieces at the Prado Museum to contemporary galleries tucked into trendy neighbourhoods like Malasaña. It covers pretty much all of the city's art and cultural high points.

4. A day trip out to Toledo. Easy enough to reach from the capital, and worth doing.

Barcelona

The beaches of the Costa del Sol, the wild architecture of Barcelona, the odd mountain village nobody warned you about - you're never short of somewhere worth heading next.

Barcelona sits near the top of the country's most-visited list, and it's obvious why the moment you arrive. Some of the most recognisable buildings on the planet are here - the Sagrada Familia, Park Guell. Throw in the food and the nightlife and it's a city break that sticks with you. For a Spanish city trip, you can't go far wrong.

Granada

Granada is one of those places that should be near the front of your list. Preserved old buildings, the southern climate, the food - it has the lot, but it also has something the bigger cities don't quite manage.

Down in southern Spain, Granada is the capital of the province that shares its name. It's best known for its ties to the Moorish Kingdom of Granada, which held the region for centuries. You can still trace that history all over the city today - most famously at the Alhambra palace.

But there's more to Granada than old stones. It's a lively place. Wander the winding streets of the Albayzin quarter, take a slow lunch on a terrace looking out over the rooftops, or duck into one of the museums or galleries. And do eat the local food - that part isn't optional, if you ask me.

History buff, foodie, or someone who just wants to sit somewhere lovely and do very little - you'll find your feet here quickly enough.

Seville

Seville, the capital of Andalusia down south, is one of the country's busiest destinations, and it wears some of Spain's most famous landmarks - the Alcazar palace, the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the See, the Plaza de Espana. It's a strong shout for shopping and eating too, and the nights go on. Flamenco shows, tapas bars, parks and gardens. Plenty of reason to make it your base for a week.

Valencia

Valencia sits on the east coast, and it's a lovely spot. The architecture, the food, the friendly locals - it all makes for an easy, unhurried trip. Plenty to see, but the city never feels like it's rushing you along. If you want to get properly into Spanish life without the crowds, this is where I'd send you.

Bilbao

Up in northern Spain, Bilbao is famous for its bold architecture - the Guggenheim Museum most of all. It also makes a handy launch pad for the wider Basque Country, with its dramatic coastline and old traditional villages.

A few tips before you go

Planning a tour of Spain? A few things are worth keeping in your head. It's a big country with a lot in it, the history shifts from one region to the next, and the food and wine are, frankly, half the reason to go. A few pointers, then.

1) Plan your route. Spain is large, and it's genuinely tricky to know where to begin. The trick is to work out what you most want to see, then build the route around that. There are plenty of tour options out there, so do a bit of digging before you commit to one.

2) Think about your budget. Spain has a name for being pricey. If money's tight, hostels over hotels can stretch things a long way, and it's worth hunting around for deals on flights and tours too.

3) Leave room for food and wine. This is what Spain is known for, so build both time and money into your plans for meals and drinks. And whatever else you do, order the tapas - that's non-negotiable.